Good morning family and friends. As I'm writing this blog to you, I am sitting in a window seat at friars Lodge in the town of Kinsale, Ireland. This beautiful harbour town is from the medieval times and is built on a hillside. Yesterday Dave and I left Dublin at 9 o'clock on the bus. Our first trip was still to Kilmainham jail. The visit at the jail was extremely emotional for me. The jail was built in the 17 hundreds and was in use up until the early 1920s. The guide told us how men women and children lived together in the the jail on the 1700's. They had little food water the living conditions were horrible and many died from disease . There were children in the jail. He told of one story of a young boy who was jailed for 5 months hard labor and for stealing a loaf of bread he was only 5 years old. The guide also told us of the Ireland uprising that occurred in 1916 and eight of the gentleman who were involved in the uprising were executed at the jail.

After we left the jail we went to on a two hour drive and went to The Rock of Cashel

. This is an old monastery from so far back I can't even remember. It was built on a hilltop that overlooked the beautiful valley and. David I could have spent a whole day at this location . We had an outstanding tour guide who took us through the centuries and what life was like at the monastery. We got back on the bus and drove for another 2 hours.

We arrived at Cashel and because the streets are so narrow our bus had to leave us off about 1 mile from our fryers lodge. That was no problem walking it is an absolutely beautiful town with very small roads and colorful buildings with fresh flowers throughout. Dave and I went to a local pub, spoke with some Irish local people. We then had a wonderful seafood dinner. W e love our tour guide, Steve, he sang Irish songs on the bus ride. He is it was trying to teach us words of Irish songs so when we are in the pubs we can sing along with the locals. I don't know if it can get any better than this day. It is an absolute delight to be here . We love you all and miss you very much take care.

Comments

..hey Lori the weather is beautiful today it's probably 65 just a little breezy you would absolutely love love love .it here. You have got to come here with us one day. I love you sweetheart I wish you could be here with me

Ryan Hattenback
on Sep 9, 2013 at 01:28PM

Hello from the States!!! I hope everything is going well for you, I was just getting caught up on the blog and I have to say, this is really awesome. I am so glad you all put this together because I can read your emotions and I can practically see the expressions on your faces. I miss you all terribly, Amy and I spent some time over your house Sat night to watch the dogs and a movie. Cant wait to see more pictures when you get back, keep the blog coming!!! Love you both,